CONTEMPORARY ISTANBUL
20th Edition
23 - 28 September 2025
ISTANBUL
The participation of the Sigg Art Foundation in the 20th edition of Contemporary Istanbul, held from 23–28 September 2025, was marked by the first-ever public presentation of a curated selection from the Founder’s Collection. Artists featured include Korakrit Arunanondchai, Monia Ben Hamouda, Meriem Bennani, Neïl Beloufa, Jean Claracq, Louisa Gagliardi, Johnny Depp, Austin Lee and Charles Ross, alongside an historical work by Jean-Baptiste Vanmour.
Modern Paintings and Digital Culture
Through their works, the selected artists explore the dialogue between painting and digital culture. It reflects the Sigg Art Foundation’s mission to empower emerging voices while placing them in continuity with modern and post-war practices. The selection exemplifies the Sigg Art Foundation’s recent acquisitions, which focus on the relationships between traditional media (especially painting) and the digital.
“For years, my collection remained private, a personal journey of discovery. Presenting it publicly for the first time is about opening a dialogue between painting and digital culture, between heritage and innovation, and ultimately between different audiences and geographies.”
Pierre Sigg, founder of the Sigg Art Foundation.
Contemporary Istanbul Foundation
The invitation to present at Contemporary Istanbul was marked by a special moment on the opening day, when Pierre Sigg, Founder of the Sigg Art Foundation and newly appointed member of the Contemporary Istanbul Foundation Executive Board, joined Chairperson Ali Güreli and Artistic Director Sarp Kerem Yavuz at The Pavilion to welcome the international press. Together, they shared the vision behind this landmark 20th anniversary edition, setting the tone for a fair that celebrates dialogue, discovery, and Istanbul’s role as a meeting point between cultures.
↘︎ ABOUT CONTEMPORARY ISTANBUL
Founded in 2006, Contemporary Istanbul is the leading international art fair in Türkiye. Celebrating its 20th edition in 2025, the fair brings together a curated selection of galleries, institutions, and cultural initiatives. Positioned between continents, Contemporary Istanbul has established itself as a dynamic platform connecting art scenes from Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, fostering dialogue and discovery across geographies.
A TRIBUTE TO ISTANBUL
The Sigg Art Foundation Founder’s Collection reflects a wide spectrum of artistic voices, from contemporary experiments to historical treasures. Presenting Jean-Baptiste Vanmour’s Cortège du Sultan Ahmed III in Contemporary Istanbul was a gesture of tribute to the city, where the painting was created three centuries ago. Its vivid depiction of Ottoman ceremony offered audiences a glimpse into Istanbul’s layered history, set in dialogue with the Foundation’s forward-looking selection.
